OXON HILL, Md. (AP) Those days of pitching for the Long Island Ducks, out of the majors and almost out of luck, happily seem far away now for Rich Hill.

The left-hander who resurrected his career after a detour to independent ball got stability and a lot more Monday. The free agent re-signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for three years and $48 million, then frequently paused to steady himself while talking about that winding path.

"I think it's something that has been an incredible journey to get to this point, but never did I ever think that I would pack it in," the 36-year-old Hill said at the winter meetings in suburban Washington.